Insects
Insects (In-sekts)
Insects (pronounced /ˈɪnsɛkts/) are a group of hexapod invertebrates and the largest group within the arthropod phylum. The term "insect" comes from the Latin word "insectum," meaning "with a notched or divided body," or literally "cut into."
Etymology
The word "insect" is derived from the Latin word "insectum," a calque of the Greek "ἔντομον" (éntomon) which means "cut into pieces." This refers to the division of the insect's body into three segments (head, thorax, and abdomen).
Definition
Insects are small animals that have six legs and generally one or two pairs of wings. They are characterized by their segmented body and hard exoskeleton. The three main parts of an insect are the head, thorax, and abdomen. The head houses the insect's primary sensory organs and its brain. The thorax contains the muscles that make the legs and wings move, and the abdomen houses the digestive and reproductive systems.
Related Terms
- Arthropod: An invertebrate animal having an exoskeleton, a segmented body, and paired jointed appendages.
- Hexapod: Any member of the subclass Hexapoda, which includes insects and three groups of insect-like animals.
- Exoskeleton: A rigid external covering for the body in some invertebrate animals, especially arthropods.
- Thorax: The middle section of the body of an insect, to which the wings and legs are attached.
- Abdomen: The posterior part of the body of an arthropod, especially the segments of an insect’s body behind the thorax.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Insects
- Wikipedia's article - Insects
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